Every donated dollar counts

Written by Deb Egenberger
Wednesday, 13 October 2010 21:01

United Way luncheon set for Oct. 17.

Whether you toss a couple bucks into a collection tub at a free-will donation soup supper or agree to have money withdrawn from your pay check on a weekly basis, each dollar donated to the Gothenburg chapter of United Way makes a difference.

“We really appreciate every person who donates,” said Karla Blase, local United Way president. “Each one is a big part of why Gothenburg’s United Way is a success.”

The annual campaign kicks off this weekend with a luncheon at the Gothenburg Senior Center on Sunday, officially opening the drive to raise this year’s goal of $24,100.

“The last couple of years have been very good,” Blase said, noting that United Way achieved last year’s goal of $24,000. “We still have to work really hard but people here are so generous.”

Nearly all of the money raised in Gothenburg is distributed between nine agencies.

Blase said administrative expenses, including national dues, total less than $1,000.

The rest goes directly to the agencies that touch the lives of residents young and old ranging from the Senior Center to Building Blocks Child Care Center and Preschool, she said.

Four United Way agencies serve only local people. The Senior Center, Gothenburg/Brady Ministerial Association, Building Blocks and Gothenburg GED program are based right here in town, Blase said.

The others reach across the county, including Gothenburg.

Blase said the One-to-One program based in Lexington has been dropped from the list this year after larger funding programs for the child abuse prevention service fell through.

“It kind of makes you stop and think about needs,” Blase said.

During October and November, United Way board members approach local businesses for donations.

Blase said about a quarter of the annual funding comes from this part of the campaign.

Baldwin Filters, she said, has always been a strong United Way supporter, making up another quarter of the year’s total.

The rest comes from various fund-rasing activities and

Find the complete story in our print edition. Receive the entire issue of the Gothenburg Times on-line in PDF format each Wednesday for only $25 per year. Call 308-537-3636 to subscribe.

Weather Forecast

e-Subscription Login

E-Subscriptions are now offered with each week's complete issue available in PDF format on Wednesday afternoons. To purchase an E-Subscription please fill out our Contact Form and select 'Request an e-Subscription.'